By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara

The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) has urged individuals, families, workplaces and communities to prioritise mental health, emotional well-being and disaster preparedness following reports of mild earth tremors in parts of Freetown.

The call was made in a public health advisory issued in collaboration with the Mental Health Secretariat and the National Multisectoral Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Technical Working Group, highlighting the importance of protecting psychological well-being during unexpected environmental events.

According to the health authorities, sudden incidents such as earth tremors can trigger fear, anxiety and uncertainty among members of the public, particularly those who have experienced previous traumatic emergencies, including the civil war, the Ebola outbreak, flooding and mudslides.

The authorities emphasised that fear and temporary emotional distress following an unexpected event are normal human reactions and should not automatically be interpreted as signs of a mental health disorder.

They also clarified that the advisory is intended to promote public awareness and preparedness and should not be taken as evidence that a major disaster is imminent.

The MHPSS Technical Working Group has called on ministries, departments and agencies, as well as public and private institutions, to ensure that information shared with employees and the wider public is accurate and verified through official sources, including the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA).

Employers have also been encouraged to conduct supportive and stigma-free well-being checks with their staff, provide reasonable assistance to workers experiencing significant distress and review existing emergency preparedness measures.

These measures include checking evacuation routes, strengthening staff safety procedures and establishing clear pathways for psychosocial support and referrals for individuals who may require additional assistance.

The advisory further underscores the need for institutions to recognise the emotional impact of emergencies and create supportive environments where people can express their concerns without fear of discrimination or stigma.

The NPHA reaffirmed the health sector’s commitment to supporting the mental health and well-being of Sierra Leoneans before, during and after emergencies. It stressed that effective disaster preparedness should go beyond protecting buildings and physical infrastructure to include the psychological safety of individuals and communities.

The Agency also called on stakeholders in healthcare, education, development partnerships, non-governmental organisations and the private sector to incorporate mental health and psychosocial support into wider disaster risk reduction and community resilience programmes.

The advisory comes as a reminder of the importance of responsible communication, community support and preparedness in helping people respond calmly to unexpected events.

Health authorities maintained that access to reliable information, emotional support and appropriate referral services can help reduce unnecessary fear and strengthen the resilience of communities facing emergencies.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 19th October 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)